Electrostrictive effect and load capability in electron irradiated P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer

Electrostrictive coefficients, both the charge related (Q) and field related (M), were studied in electron irradiated P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer which exhibits a massive electrostrictive strain response. Although the M depends on the electric field which stems from the nonlinear dielectric behavior of the material, the Q is independent of the field. Considering the material is a 0-3 composite in nature, a simple model is proposed to understand the experimental phenomena that the Q increases with decreasing crystallinity. The mechanical load capability of the material was studied in both uniaxial and hydrostatic stresses. The experimental results demonstrate the material possesses high load capability. for example, the transverse strain for the film under a tensile stress of 45 MPa is nearly the same as that measured under stress free condition.